Photo: Pinterest
List of festivals and holidays in October around the world. Photo: Pinterest

October is best known for its Halloween festivities, but it's also a month loaded with national and global celebrations.

The best world festivals can be the top way of experiencing somewhere new. Go to a world festival and you get to sample the local cultural traditions in one place, you can mingle with the locals, and see their twist on the festival fun.

Full Calendar of Most Important Holidays in October From Around the World

Date Holiday Category Tags

OCT 1 FRIDAY

International Coffee Day Food & Beverage Cooking, Drinking, Food
​International Day of Older Persons Cause Elderly
National Black Dog Day Animal Dog, Pet
National Fire Pup Day Animal Dog, Environment, Pet, Pet Health
National Hair Day Fun
National Homemade Cookies Day Food & Beverage Cooking, Dessert, Food
National Poetry Day Arts & Entertainment Books
World Smile Day Special Interest Activities, Funny
World Vegetarian Day Food & Beverage Food

OCT 2 SATURDAY

International Day of Non-Violence Cause Awareness, Mental Health
National Custodian Day Career
National Name Your Car Day Fun Funny, Weird National

OCT 3 SUNDAY

Mean Girls Day Arts & Entertainment Movie
National Boyfriend Day Relationship Fun, Love
National Kevin Day Fun Obscure

OCT 4 MONDAY

St. Francis of Assisi Religious Appreciation, Catholic, Christian
National Child Health Day Health Children, Parents
​National Cinnamon Roll Day Food & Beverage Breakfast
National Golf Lovers Day Sports Activities
National Taco Day Food & Beverage Cooking, Food, Mexican, Mexican food
National Vodka Day Food & Beverage Liquor
World Animal Day Animal Environment, Pet, Wildlife

OCT 5 TUESDAY

National Be Nice Day Fun Family, Lifestyle
National Do Something Nice Day Special Interest Activities
National Get Funky Day Fun Funny
National Kiss a Wrestler Day Sports Funny
Pchum Ben Religious Buddhist
World Teachers' Day Career

OCT 6 WEDNESDAY

National Coaches Day Fun Activities, Children, Parents
NATIONAL GERMAN-AMERICAN DAY
National Mad Hatter Day Fun Crazy, Funny, Pop Culture
National Noodle Day Food & Beverage Cooking, Food
National Plus Size Appreciation Day Fashion Lifestyle
​National Transfer Money to Your Daughter Day Family Activities, Children, Family, Funny
National Walk and Bike to School Day Health Children, Parents
World Cerebral Palsy Day Cause

OCT 7 THURSDAY

Mysore Dasara Religious Hindu
National Depression Screening Day Health Awareness, Mental Health
​National Frappe Day Food & Beverage Funny, Pop Culture
Navratri Religious Hindu, Indian Holidays

OCT 8 FRIDAY

National Fluffernutter Day Food & Beverage Cooking, Food
National Pierogi Day Food & Beverage Cooking, Food

OCT 9 SATURDAY

CURIOUS EVENTS DAY Fun
Leif Erikson Day Historical
Shemini Atzeret Religious Jewish
World Post Day Federal Historical

OCT 10 SUNDAY

National Cake Decorating Day Food & Beverage Baking, Dessert, Food
National Handbag Day Fashion Appreciation, Lifestyle
National Hug a Drummer Day Career, Fun Music, Pop Culture
Simchat Torah Jewish
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day Health Elderly
World Mental Health Day Health Awareness, Mental Health

OCT 11 MONDAY

Cardi B's Birthday Arts & Entertainment Music, Pop Culture
Columbus Day Federal Federal, Historical
It's My Party Day Family Fun, Lifestyle
National Coming Out Day Relationship Love
National Kick Butt Day Health Activities, Funny
National Kimberly Day Fun Funny
National Sausage Pizza Day Food & Beverage Cooking, Food

OCT 12 TUESDAY

Farmers Day Special Interest Lifestyle
National Gumbo Day Comfort Food, Food
National Pulled Pork Day Food & Beverage Cooking, Food
National Savings Day Financial Awareness

OCT 13 WEDNESDAY

ADA Lovelace Day Education Technology
British Yorkshire Pudding Day Food & Beverage Food
International Skeptics Day Special Interest Crazy, Fun, Obscure
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day Health Women
​National Fossil Day Environmental Historical
National Herpes Awareness Day Health Awareness
National M&M Day Food & Beverage Candy, Chocolate, Dessert, Festivities, Funny
National No Bra Day Cause Awareness
National Pet Obesity Day Animal Pet
National Stop Bullying Day Awareness
National Transfer Money to Your Son Day Fun Family
Navy Birthday Federal Historical, Military

OCT 14 THURSDAY

National Dessert Day Food & Beverage Dessert, Food

OCT 15 FRIDAY

Global Handwashing Day Health Awareness
National Cheese Curd Day Food & Beverage Cheese, Cooking
National Grouch Day Fun Pop Culture
​National I Love Lucy Day Fun Funny, Pop Culture
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day Health Awareness
National Mammography Day Health Awareness
National Mushroom Day Food & Beverage Healthy Food
National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day Family Children, Family, Parents
Vijayadashami Religious Hindu, Indian Holidays
Maths Day Cause

OCT 16SATURDAY

Dictionary Day Education Appreciation, Books
Global Cat Day Animal Cat, Pet
National Boss's Day Special Interest
National Feral Cat Day Animal Pet
National Fetch Day Animal Dog, Pet
​National Liqueur Day Food & Beverage Beverage, Liquor
Sweetest Day Food & Beverage Food, Friendship, Sweet Food
World Food Day Cause Awareness, Food

OCT 17 SUNDAY

Eminem's Birthday Arts & Entertainment Birthdays, Music, Pop Culture
National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day Special Interest Technology
National Edge Day Cultural Lifestyle, Pop Culture, Weird National
National Mulligan Day Fun Activities, Fun
National Pasta Day Food & Beverage Cooking, Food, Italian Food
National Pay Back a Friend Day Relationship Lifestyle

OCT 18 MONDAY

Health Care Aide Day Health Appreciation, Canadian
National Chocolate Cupcake Day Food & Beverage Chocolate, Food
National No Beard Day Fashion Lifestyle

OCT 19TUESDAY

Milad an-Nabi (Mawlid) Religious Islamic
National New Friends Day Relationship Activities, Friendship, Fun
National Pharmacy Technician Day Career Work
World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day Health Awareness

OCT 20 WEDNESDAY

International Sloth Day Animal Wildlife
National Day on Writing Education Activities, Fun
National Medical Assistants Day Career Work
World Osteoporosis Day Health Awareness

OCT 21 THURSDAY

​Back to the Future Day Arts & Entertainment Movie, Pop Culture
International Day of the Nacho Food & Beverage Cooking, Food, Mexican, Mexican food
International ShakeOut Day Environmental
National Apple Day Food & Beverage Food
National Check Your Meds Day Health Elderly
National Pets for Veterans Day Cause Friendship, Military, Pet
National Reptile Awareness Day Animal Pet
National Reptile Day Animal Wildlife

OCT 22 FRIDAY

International Caps Lock Day Fun
International Stuttering Awareness Day Health Awareness
National Nut Day Food & Beverage Food

OCT 23 SATURDAY

National Boston Cream Pie Day Food & Beverage Food
National Croc Day Fashion Children, Lifestyle, Pop Culture, Weird National
National Mole Day Special Interest Technology
National Paralegal Day Career Work
Slap Your Annoying Coworker Day Fun Activities, Fun, Work

OCT 24 SUNDAY

Drake's Birthday Arts & Entertainment Music, Pop Culture
National Bologna Day Food & Beverage Food
United Nations Day Federal Historical

OCT 25 MONDAY

British Summertime Ends Seasonal Festivities
International Artist Day Arts & Entertainment Appreciation, International
Katy Perry's Birthday Arts & Entertainment Music, Pop Culture
National Greasy Foods Day Food & Beverage Food
​National I Care About You Day Relationship Family, Lifestyle, Parents
National Mother-in-Law Day Family
Sourest Day Food & Beverage American, Food, Fun
World Pasta Day Food & Beverage Food, Italian Food

OCT 26 TUESDAY

National Chicken Fried Steak Day Food & Beverage Cooking, Food
National Day of the Deployed American, Appreciation, Military
National Pit Bull Awareness Day Animal Dog, Pet
National Pumpkin Day Food & Beverage Food

OCT 27 WEDNESDAY

Geelong Cup Day Sports Activities, Hobby
National American Beer Day Food & Beverage Beer, Beverage
National Black Cat Day Animal Cat, Pet
​National Mentoring Day Career Children, Friendship, Mental Health
Navy Day American, Military

OCT 28 THURSDAY

International Animation Day Arts & Entertainment Appreciation, Hobby, Pop Culture
National Chocolate Day Food & Beverage Chocolate, Food
​National First Responders Day Career Civic
​National Immigrants Day Cause Civic

OCT 29 FRIDAY

National Breadstick Day Food & Beverage Baking, Food
National Cat Day Animal Cat, Pet
National Internet Day Special Interest Technology
National Oatmeal Day Food & Beverage Healthy Food
World Psoriasis Day Health Awareness

OCT 30 SATURDAY

National Candy Corn Day Candy, Sweet Food
National Checklist Day Special Interest Activities
National Text Your Ex Day Relationship Funny

OCT 31 SUNDAY

Halloween Fun Activities, Candy, Children, Family, Festivities
Magic Day Arts & Entertainment Activities, Crazy, Hobby
​National Caramel Apple Day Food & Beverage Candy, Food, Fruit
National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas)

Here is the list of the important festivals in October 2021:

Oktoberfest, Germany, September 18 - October 4

Photo: Mass Brew Bros
Photo: Mass Brew Bros

Millions of liters of Oktoberfest beer are just the beginning of this 15-day Bavarian fair, which takes over Munich every year. Having started in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding, the event is still held on the original site, dubbed Theresienwiese (“Theresa’s fields”). As well as your fill of Löwenbräu pints, there are also amusement rides, market stalls, games, and a bounty of traditional food to sample from pretzels, dumplings, and cheese noodles to all manner of sausages and roasted meats.

Golden Eagle Festival, Mongolia (October 2 to 3)

List of Important Festivals and Holidays in October around the World
During the Golden Eagle Festival in Mongolia (Shutterstock)

Another competitive festival in Mongolia, though this time without all the arrows buzzing around. Instead, it'll be golden eagles flying in high during this two-day tradition in early October.

Eagle hunters – not actual hunters, but those adept at falconry (training the eagles themselves to hunt) – from across Bayan-Ölgii, the most westerly region of Mongolia, come together to test their skill, by comparing the birds' accuracy.

In such a remote part of the world, you'll be able to witness the Golden Eagle Festival as part of a tailor-made tour to Mongolia.

Balloon Fiesta, USA, Saturday, October 2-10

Every year, more than 500 hot air balloons soar into the clear blue skies above Rio Grande Valley in Alburquerque, New Mexico. The Mass Ascension, as it's known, is quite an unforgettable sight: an explosion of rainbow colors, funky patterns, and awe-inspiring design, according to Wanderlust.

Events also take place at night, and you don't need to have your own hot air balloon to join in. You can buy a ticket, rock up and simply enjoy the view.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival, Thailand, October 5-15

Photo: Mass Brew Bros
Photo: Mass Brew Bros

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival isn't necessarily a straightforward celebration of all things vegetarian. It's also known as The Nine Emperor Gods Festival, and it's actually one of the most bustling – and some might say brash – festivals in Thailand.

It's raucous, busy, and a little bit 'out there for a religious festival. Participants follow strict diets, give up sex and avoid alcohol for the duration, and wear white outfits to denote their purity. Then, it all kicks off: chants, firecrackers, and some strange stunts from performers. You may spot someone walking on nails or even piercing their cheeks with their swords. Needless to say, this festival is best witnessed from a distance.

Lord of the Miracles, Peru, October 18

Lima residents parade through the capital in honor of Señor de Los Milagros, quite literally translated to Lord of the Miracles. Everyone wears purple to signify their loyalty and devotion to the Lord (some throughout the entire month of October).

There are usually thousands taking part in the procession, which follows the painting of Señor de Los Milagros carefully propped on a large float, all singing religious songs and saying prayers.

Undeniably, it's one of South America's biggest festivals. Again, if you're not one of the locals, one best seen from the sidelines.

Dia de los Muertos, Mexico, November 2

Photo: AFAR
Photo: AFAR

One of my favorite world festivals is the Dia de los Muertos in Latin America, and particularly Mexico. Recently, movies like Spectre and Disney’s Coco have given the festival worldwide fame. But while the colorful costumes and skull face paints are an eye-catching part of Day of the Dead, the festival is about much more than that, Emily Luxton reported.

It’s a three-day holiday in which families gather together to remember and pray for loved ones who have died. Many visit the cemeteries to make offerings, decorating the graves with marigolds and candles. Some families even hold parties in the cemeteries, and the atmosphere is generally one of joy and celebration rather than sadness. There are a vast amount of traditions and beliefs surrounding this festival, so take the time to really understand the events when you visit. But of course, don’t miss the parades and parties as well!

Gandhi Jayanti, India, October 2

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also well-known as Mahatma Gandhi was born on the 2nd of October in Gujarat, Porbandar. He heavily contributed to India’s Independence movement. Not only did Gandhi just contributed to India’s freedom struggle but also stood up to bring changes in society. He believed in the path of “Ahimsa” and thus his birthday is celebrated to remember his principle of non-violence and to secure peace, tolerance in the nation. Mahatma Gandhi is the greatest and famous Indian personality and for his contributions to the Indian independence struggle, he earned the title of “Father of the nation”.

Navratri, India, October 7-15

Photo: The Prevalent India
Photo: The Prevalent India

Navratri, also called Durga Puja, is one of the major festivals in India. It is held in honor of the divine feminine. The festival is of nine days and nine nights is accompanied by dance, music, sweets, and worship of the most powerful goddess. The festival ends with Dussehra (also called Vijayadashami) on the 10th day.

Navratri is celebrated differently in India’s various regions. One popular ritual of this festival is Kanya Puja, which takes place on the eighth or ninth day. In this ritual, nine young girls are dressed as the nine goddesses portraying feminine power. They are worshiped with foot washing and are given offerings such as food and clothing.

Dussehra is a time to celebrate the triumphs of good over evil. It is associated with the victory of Rama over the Ravana, from Ramayana. In North India, the Ram Lila is the highlight of the festival. This series of holy and popular festivals of India falls on the month of October, with Dussehra on 15th October, Chimes Radio cited.

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